CPP faithful ‘burning with hatred’ of CNRP

Ruling party supporters are “burning with hatred” towards the Cambodia National Rescue Party leadership and are ready to take to the streets, according to a Facebook post by Prime Minister Hun Sen’s second-eldest son, Hun Manith.

“I might not be able to contain the CPP youth and supporters any longer.… Their hearts are burning with hatred toward the leaders of the CNRP from listening to the barking, cursing and insults to the CPP leaders and especially to the prime minister,” the comment posted on January 19 reads.

“Please continue to be patient and be strong,” he continues.

Hun Manith, who is deputy head of the powerful Military Intelligence unit, declined to comment yesterday and as of press time had not confirmed that he made the post himself.

However, a source close to the prime minister’s son who declined to be named confirmed yesterday that the account belongs to Manith.

Manith’s comments follow a speech by Hun Sen at the opening of a children’s clinic in Kratie province on January 18 in which the prime minister simultaneously called for dialogue and for CPP supporters to be ready to take action against the opposition.

“Let those of you who voted CPP get yourselves ready to respond to the reckless actions that bears the nature of a coup,” he said.

“Those who do not support reckless actions holding the country hostage must stand up and get ready.”

An adviser to Hun Many, the prime minister’s youngest son and head of the CPP’s Volunteer Youth, who asked not to be named because he was not authorised to speak to the media, echoed Manith’s sentiments.

“Among the 3.2 million people who [actively] support the CPP, they could be ready to walk along the street. I did not hear any instruction from CPP leaders to make counter-protests. But it is very logical that they are ready to walk on the street,” he said yesterday.

“We are not very happy with the long protests and believe it’s too much.”

On Sunday, in a move decried by the opposition as simple intimidation, more than 1,000 CPP supporters showed up outside a CNRP meeting in Kampong Cham province, condemning the party’s leaders over loudspeakers even as government troops blocked roads leading to the event.

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The anonymous source quoted as an adviser to Hun Many has said since the interview that he was speaking in a personal capacity and is not an official adviser to the prime minister's son.